18
SERVICE NOTES
3
• Stop the rotating trimmer head when
crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.
Wait for the cutting lines to stop rotating.
• Stop the engine (motor) whenever you
leave the equipment and allow it to cool,
before clean ing, repairing or inspecting
the unit. Be sure the trimmer head and
all moving parts have stopped.
• Operate only in daylight or good artifi cial
light.
• Do not operate the machine while under
the infl uence of alcohol or drugs.
• Never operate machine in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing: keep a
fi rm hold on the handle and walk; never
run.
• If the equipment should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and
check immediately for the cause. Vibra-
tion is generally a warning of trouble.
• Always wear safety goggles or safety
glasses with side shields when op er -
at ing machine.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip
and fall accidents which can result in
severe injury. All slopes require extra
caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do
not trim it.
DO:
• Trim across the face of slopes: never up
and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
DO NOT:
• Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The operator could lose
footing or balance.
• Do not trim excessively steep slopes.
• Do not trim on wet grass. Reduced foot-
ing could cause slipping.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator
is not alert to the presence of children.
Chil dren are often attracted to the ma chine
and the trimming activity. Never assume
that children will remain where you last
saw them.
• Keep children out of the trimming area
and under the watchful care of another
responsible adult.
• Be alert and turn machine off if children
enter the area.
• Before and while moving backwards,
look behind and down for small children.
• Never allow children to operate the
machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
• Use extra care in handling gasoline and
other fuels. They are fl ammable and
vapors are explosive.
- Use only an ap proved con tain er.
- Never remove gas cap or add fuel
with the engine running. Allow en-
gine to cool before refueling. Do not
smoke.
- Never refuel the machine in doors.
- Never store the machine or fuel con-
tain er inside where there is an open
fl ame, such as a water heat er.
- Move away from fueling site before
starting engine.
• Never run a machine inside a closed
area.
• Never make adjustments or repairs with
the engine (motor) running. Disconnect
the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent ac ci -
den tal starting.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially trimmer
head and engine bolts, tight and keep
equipment in good condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices.
Check their proper operation regularly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris buildup. Clean oil or fuel
spillage. Allow machine to cool before
cleaning or storing.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object. Repair, if necessary,
before restarting.
• Do not change the engine governor set-
ting or overspeed the engine.
• Clean and replace safety and in struc tion
decals as necessary.
Look for this symbol to point out
im por tant safety precautions. It means
CAU TION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR
SAFE TY IS INVOLVED.